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Although I am a BAA member, I live in Hertfordshire. Our local waters have seen an increase in similar incidents. As Frank found, the current covid-19 crisis has sparked a massive increase in angling related activity, and inevitably has intensified illegal angling activity.
Poaching on privately owned waters is theft (of legitimate fishing rights) and a criminal offence under S1 of Theft Act 1968. Report it to the police (101) unless there is a real threat of violence (then 999). The EA should also be informed as it is reasonable to suppose that the perpetrators of criminal activity may not have EA licences. The BAA as owners of the rights should be taking action to report such incidents to the authorities and through targetted bailiffing discouraging the threat. Interestingly as anglers we longer have the right to demand the production of EA rod licences.
The EA have recently announced a resumption of their activities (the clear admission that since mid March they have done nothing). Whilst I have some sympathy with their ability to effectively enforce angling law with reference to licenses and legal angling practices, because of persistent cuts to resources, the facts suggest that in the main they have adopted a 'see nothing' approach, which in effect makes them complicit in illegal angling practices. The EA has a statutory duty to enforce the law and they are choosing to disregard it. A 'benefit' of covid-19 has been an increase of EA rod license sales of close to 300000 - that's approximately an additional £9m in revenue so the inadequate resource excuse increasingly lacks credibility in the short term.
As we have found in the Thames area, unchallenged illegal angling activity merely encourages its growth.Its up to all of us to put pressure on the authorities to enforce what the law intends. Disregarding such practices merely encourages their growth.
Posted on August 10, 2020 at 8:41 AM
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Myself and others are planning to come down to fish the Severn for a week in early September; we have done so annually since the early 2000s. I'm somewhat disturbed to read the above thread. I understand the issues about the fallout from the awful and prolonged floods last winter and subsequent lack of rain, low oxygen levels, reduced flows and and clear water. Fishing in September can often be a bit hit and miss, especially in dry summers but the tone of this thread seems considerably worse.
What puzzles me is that reports seem to indicate more chub and fewer barbel, yet logic would suggest that the barbel is better placed to withstand the effects of floods, suggesting other factors. I'd be interested to learn what is happening to catches of other fish. Are they showing similar reductions?
I recall what has happened to the Teme from 2007 after major flood events. The river is now a shadow of what it was before; much to my regret. Any insights before we travel up from London would be gratefully received
Posted on August 04, 2020 at 12:20 PM
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Rather proves the point about the benefits of a clear, well informed and researched message to government, but be clear on exactly what is permissible. It is a conditional green light only. Check out AT link as above.
Posted on May 10, 2020 at 11:54 PM
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A really helpful and informed response from BobbyRedfin, for which thanks.
I emailed my MP via the AT link but received no confirmatory email from AT, neither did 3 members of another club (for which I am Secretary) who I know did the same. However it is still re-assuring to learn that AT appears to be monitoring at least of our work as individuals by logging at least some email transmissions to MPs on this.
Like BobbyRedfin the historic 4m figure for anglers is one I recall, but EA annual license sales suggest that that today's figures are about 35% of this number. The decline is regrettable but as observed above not unexpected given other more popular alternatives in the past 2 decades. My guess is BAA membership along with many other clubs mirrors this rate of decline over period.
I am not aware of AT membership numbers but I know they fall far short of the number of individual anglers who participate in the sport and is a fraction of EA license numbers. in the circumstances 8000 is perhaps quite a high response rate (albeit putting angling in the 'minority pastime category' in the eyes of those who make decisions).
As previously noted above and elsewhere the importance of joining the AT at both individual and club level has never been greater. It is 'our voice' to government and its agencies. If we care about a future for our sport it is the responsibility of each one of us to give AT sufficient clout - through weight of numbers - to fight our corner with decision makers. If AT cannot do so we will see an inevitable and predictable decline in our ability to shape events.
Posted on May 09, 2020 at 1:53 PM
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Re BobbyRedfin's post, I am not sure what the 8000 emails refers to. Is it a count (if so where from?) of anglers who have emailed their MP's under the aegis of the AT's campaign (and as emails go to each MP's office staff, not to a central point and staff usually send an acknowledgment before any more substantive reply; this seems unlikely) or is it something else?
I agree that 8000 emails if accurate and a representative total whilst encouraging is a small - and dare I say it -a very disappointing fraction of of the 1-2 million EA fishing license holders. Yet the fact remains that every signature is progress to get our point across.
Over 500 have looked at his thread which means they all have the means to email their MP. Have you dear reader? As an aside I would have hoped that BAA management might have shown a lead on this, perhaps they have and if so it would be good to hear of it.
Posted on May 09, 2020 at 9:11 AM
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